25) The Golden Rule

M

ultiple Choice (each correct answer is worth either a bar of fictitious latinum or your soul’s salvation (fictitious?):  The Golden Rule States:

A)  Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

B)  The one with the gold makes the rules.

C)  Both A) & B)

D)  None of the Above

            Where did you learn the Golden Rule?

            Do you practice the Golden Rule?

            Animal Farm's Golden Rule says that some people are more equal than others.  The practice of our economic and tax systems agree.  Does that mean that both Communism and Capitalism are corrupt?  Are people corrupt?  Are people simply human?

            That’s why we're seeing the masses rise up for freedom and fairness: Occupy Wall St., Middle East government-toppling, etc.

            But who ever said life would be fair?!

            Actually, our parents, our children's stories, and our school teachers taught us about right & wrong, good & bad, and fair & unfair.  However, I guess, that doesn’t make it so.

            That's where we learned to play nice, be nice, polite, say thank you, and share.  We learned about fairness and doing good for others, and treating them the way we wish to be treated.  We learned it wasn't if you win or lose, but you how you play the game.

            However, we know that that isn’t true for everyone.  There are plenty of business people and sports figures out there, who must win.  Derek Jeeter, the New York Yankees’ Captain has said so on TV.  Many people look up to them as heroes.  It isn’t just competitiveness; some must win at any cost.  Some people cheat, whether in business or marriage.  Some go further and actually believe in revenge (e.g. Donald Trump has said so on TV).

So what happened?  Life?  Observation?  Society?  Darwinism?  Anthropology?  Human nature?  Greed?  Lust for power?  Lust?  Capitalism?  Survival of the fittest?

Does crime actually pay?!  Aside from legalities, what are we supposed to think and exhibit about moral values?

            Do we give the next person a hand up, or do we climb over them on the corporate ladder?

            Are we not evolving?  Are we evolving at a snail's pace?

            You can get help for navigating the economic and tax systems, and focusing your moral values, and be golden, from a Certified Financial Planner.  They are some of the most honorable, ethical individuals that exist.  Certified Financial Planners can bring wealth measured not just in dollars, but also in human terms such as security, loyalty, trust, and the ability to sleep well at night.  (You already know about the bulls, the bears, the hogs and the SWANs, or you must read the prior blogs).

            Financial Planners and Personal Business Managers: that's what the rich and famous do.  Why not you?